“8ball” is slang for an eighth of an ounce (3.5 grams) of a drug, most commonly cocaine or sometimes crystal meth. It gets its name from the black 8-ball in pool. In everyday talk, you might hear someone say, “I grabbed an 8ball for the weekend,” or “We split an 8ball at the party.” It’s…

Gay is an adjective that means a person—usually a man—feels romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same gender. It’s also used more broadly for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who loves or dates their own gender. In everyday life, people say “He’s gay” or “My friend is gay” to share who someone loves,…

BTA stands for “But Then Again.” People use it when they want to add a second thought, change direction, or admit an exception to what they just said. In everyday chats, BTA pops up when someone wants to soften a strong opinion or show they’re still thinking. Imagine a friend says, “That movie was terrible,…

Gram is a small unit of weight equal to 1/1000 of a kilogram—about the mass of a paperclip or a single raisin. People use grams every day when they check food packages, weigh coffee beans, measure baking ingredients, or compare the heft of small items like jewelry or coins. Instead of guessing “a pinch,” you’ll…

“Bif” is a playful slang term that means a small mistake, a clumsy blunder, or a silly accident. It’s light-hearted—more “oops” than disaster—and is often used when someone trips, drops something, or says the wrong word. In everyday life you’ll hear “I took a bif on the stairs and spilled my coffee” or “He made…

A primadonna is someone who acts like they’re the most important person around, gets upset over small things, and expects special treatment all the time. In everyday talk, you’ll hear it when a friend refuses to wait in line, throws a fit because their coffee isn’t perfect, or sulks if they’re not the center of…

Smores are a classic American campfire treat made by sandwiching a toasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers. The name comes from “some more,” because people often ask for another after the first one. In real life, you’ll see Smores at summer camps, backyard fire pits, and beach bonfires. Kids toast…

Predictive text is a smart feature on phones, tablets, and computers that guesses the next word or phrase while you type. It studies the words you already wrote and offers quick suggestions so you can tap or swipe instead of typing everything out. In real life, you see it every time you send a message….

A safety pin tattoo is a small design of a metal safety pin that stands for support, solidarity, and staying strong together. It tells others, “I’m on your side and ready to help.” People get this tattoo after big events—like protests, marches, or tough times in their community—to show they stand with anyone who feels…

AVM stands for “arteriovenous malformation.” It’s a tangle of abnormal blood vessels that connects arteries and veins in the brain or spine, disrupting normal blood flow. People usually hear the term when a doctor spots an AVM on an MRI or CT scan after someone has headaches, seizures, or a sudden, severe headache from bleeding….